Flue gas cleaning apparatus



Feb-25,1936. H'. BLEIBTREU Er AL Re 19,863

n FLUE GAS CLEANING APPARM'US originglriled Dee. 18. i951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 25, 1.936. j H. BLEIBTREU E1' Al.

Re. 19,863 FLUE GAS CLEANING* APPARATUS Original Filed Deo. 18, `1931 2 sheets-sheet ',2

Ressed F eb. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUE GAS CLEANING APPARATUS Herman Bleibtreu, Darmstadt, Germany, and John B. Eberlein, Chicago, lll., assignors to Freyn Engineering Company, Chicago, lll., a

corporation of Maine 21 Claims.

The invention relates to gas washing apparatus and has reference particularly to an improved washer for ue gases.

An object of the invention is to provide a washer for ilue gases which will employ water as a washing medium and wherein the washing effect will be accomplished Without seriously affecting the travel of the gases through the stack.

Another object of the invention is to provide a washer which will separate the main gas stream delivered thereto into a plurality 'of smaller streams so as to increase the surface subjected to contact by the gas and cause the solid particles carried along in the individual streams to separate therefrom, the effect being secured by directing the gas through a spiral orl circular housing.

Another object of the invention is the provision of rubber partitions for forming the passages in the housing. Also the invention contemplates lining the inner walls of the apparatus with rubber so that the device will resist the corrosive and abrasive effect of the solid particles in the gas.

A further object isv to provide washing apparatus which will divide the gas stream delivered thereto into a number of smaller streams by means of a number of passages, each being designed to change its direction of flow and to produce a centrifugal force on the solid particles carried by the streams. The whirling action of the gas stream and the increased surface presented for contact by the gas insures that the smaller and lighter particles aswell as the heavier onel will be subjected to contact with the surfaces and will separate from the gases.

A further object is to provide a washing apparatus involving the use of water, which apparatus has dust collecting surfaces `upon which the water will spread readily, thereby wetting said surfaces easily, positivelyl and completely, and from which walls the dust will gravitate readily when said walls are in wetted condition.

A further object is to provide a washer which Will function under all conditions with a high eflic'lency and it is immaterial whether operation is conducted on a reduced volume of gas with corresponding low pressure or on maximum gas volume and high pressure.

With these and various other objects in View, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation,.as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts- Figure l is an elevational view of one type of washer showing the same in associated relation with a flue stack;

Figure 2 is a vertical' sectional view taken through the structure shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional View showing a modified arrangement of partitions; and

Figure 5 is a horizontal detail View showing another modified structure for the partitions and which permits one surface thereof to be continuously supplied with water'.

In Figures l, 2 and 3 a flue gas washer is disclosed adapted for location intermediate the stack and which functions to intercept the gases in their' travel vertically of the stack. The structure consists of a circular housing supported upon the stack lill by vertical supporting members and braces H2 and is provided with a railing ||3 enclosing the upper wall and a vertical ladder I Hl providing access to the valves by which the spray of wateris controlled.

More particularly the circular` housing consists of an outer wall |`|5, top and bottom walls IIB and respectively, and an inner wall formed by the stack H0. An inlet H8 is located in one side of the wall of the stack and extends the height of the washer, while diametrically opposite the inlet is an outlet |`20` of substantially the same width and height. For separating the inlet from the outlet and to cause the gases to travel from the inlet through the housing to the outlet, a dividing partition |2| is positioned diagonally in the stack HG and extends from a point above the inlet to a point below the outlet where the stack is provided with a drain |22.

The housing', by reason of its contour, provides two semi-circular passages for the gases, the same being diverted by arcuate. walls |23 located opposite the inlet H8 toward the water nozzles |24. The nozzles are supported in the top Wall H6 and are suitably connected to water supply pipes so as to form water sprays for initially washing the gas. Additional water nozzles |25 are provided, being located in advance of sets of partitions |26 and |21, respectively, which divide the main stream flowing through the housing into a number of individual streams to provide increased surfacesfor contact with the gases. 'Ihe partitions are arcuate for the greater' portion of their length, having terminal ends o1' more determined curvature, such as |28 and |29, respectively, the same terminating adjacent to the outlet for the housing.

In operation of the above type of washer, the gases are subjected to a preliminary washing by passing through the water sprays and are then given a whirling motion by the curvature of the partitions, the effect of centrifugal force on the solid particles carried along in the gas streams causing them to contact the wet surfaces and to separate from the gases. The curvature of the partitions is such as to change the direction of flow of the streams and to also impart a baiiling effect to the gases, the latter being accomplished by the abrupt curve at the terminal portions of the partitions. The surfaces are maintained in wet condition by reason of the gases first having passed through the Water sprays and the solid particles are caused, by reason of the moisture, to adhere to the surfaces and to thus separate from the streams. As the gases are impeded in their travel by the abrupt curves at the end of the partitions, their velocity is greatly decreased to cause the solid particles to drop by gravity so that the gases when delivered to the outlet have, by the combined action of the water spray and partitions, been thoroughly cleaned. 'I'he slurry from the washer is collected adjacent to the outlet |20 and is conducted by drain |22 to settling tanks and the like. In other words, gases entering the apparatus are given a preliminary wetting 'by means of the water spray, and in their wetted condition are carried along a curvilinear course due to the curvature of the partitions and the outer wall of the apparatus. The gas stream is deflected from a straight line motion and is carried along through a plurality of radially spaced curved courses or laminations with the effect that the dust particles are disposed upon the curved partitions or upon the wall of the housing. As mentioned hereinafter, the dust collecting surfaces of said curved partitions and said housing are of rubber, which substance is particularly well adapted for the purpose of collecting the wetted dust particles and of shedding such dust particles, due to the flushing effect either of the water carried along in the gas streams or to the water from certain flushing means to be described presently, examples of which are illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. By reason of the fact that the curved passages or laminations are relatively narrow in a radial direction, the dust particles need travel only a relatively short distance radially of the apparatus before impinging upon the dust collecting surfaces. Said dust particles deposited upon the dust collecting surfaces will, of course, tend to gravitate toward the drain |22.

In order to insure a constant supplying of water for the partitions, the same can be corrugated as at |30, Figure 4, with vertical water pipes |3| being positioned in the vertical grooves formed by the partitions and serving to direct streams of water toward the outer surfaces either of the washer or of the outer adjacent partitions. 'Ihis construction also has the advantage of increasing the surfaces subjected to contact by the gases, and as the same are continuously washed by the Water sprays the solid particles, when brought into engagement, are readily united with the water and conducted from the washer as slurry.

According to the invention the partitions are formed of rubber, and also the inner walls of the housing are lined with rubber in order to provide the greatest resistance to corrosion and to the abrasive effects of the solid particles in the gases.

Rubber effectively resists the action of sulphuric acid generated by the water and the sulphur dioxide in the gas, and also Withstands the continual wear caused by the solid matter. Rubber is particularly well adapted for use in cleaning gas by the method of contact with wetted surfaces, for the reason that water exhibits a surface afiinity for a rubber surface and spreads readily upon it, thus wetting it easily, positively and completely. In other words, the wetability of rubber is high. Furthermore, rubber has the decided advantage for the purpose above outlined in the fact that the dust particles removed from the gas do not set and cling to the rubber, but are readily washed off by the water contained in the gas stream due to its preliminary wetting, or by the flushing water applied directly to the dust collecting surfaces.

Though Water has been referred to as the liquid for wetting the rubber surfaces, it will be understood that other aqueous substances have the same capability in wetting such rubber surfaces. Moreover, though rubber has been mentioned herein, any equivalents thereof will fall within the scope of the invention.

A modified arrangement is shown in Figure 5 for supplying the dust collecting surfaces of the partitions with suiiicient water. The members |32 are formed adjacent to their upper portion with a horizontal trough |33 supplied with water so that an overflow occurs over the edge |34. 'I'his overflow maintains a constant stream of water along the dust collecting walls of the partition against which the solid particles are thrown by the whirling motion of the gases.

The abovetype of washer is known as a stationary washer and although comparatively cheap in operation eliminates to a. great extent the foreign matter carried by the gases. The present apparatus has been found particularly efficient in connection with the cleaning of flue gases which is accomplished without seriously affecting the travel of the gases through the stack.

It is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited by the -exact embodiment of the device shown, which is merely by way of illustration and not limitation, as various and other forms of the device will of course be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What isclaimed is:-

1. In a gas washer, in combination, a substantially circular housing having inner and outer top, bottom and inner and outer connecting side walls, an inlet and outlet provided in the inner v of said walls at diametrically opposed points, a dividing wall extending from the top of the inner wall above the inlet to the base below the outlet and separating the inlet from the outlet, said inlet and outlet being connected by passages provided by the housing, partitions located in the passages, and spray nozzles in the passages between the inlet and the partitions.

2. In washing apparatus for association with a stack for conducting flue gases, a circular housing having an outer Wall concentric with the stack, an inlet from the stack to the housing, and an outlet at a point removed therefrom, a dividing Wall in the stack separating the inlet from the outlet, said inlet and outlet having communication through passages provided by the housing, and partitions located in the passages.

3. In washing apparatus for association with a stack for conducting flue gases, a circular housing having an outer wall coaxial with the stack,

an inlet from the stack to the housing, and an outlet at a point removed therefrom, a dividing wall in the stack separating the inlet from the outlet, said inlet and outlet having communication through passages provided by the housing, partitions located in the passages and terminating adjacent to the outlet, and nozzles projecting into the passages for providing water sprays.

4. In a gas washer, in combination, a housing having top, bottom and inner and outer connecting side walls, said side walls being substantially coaxial, an inlet and an outlet for the housing located in the inner Wall at remote points, a dividing partition in the inner wall extending diagonally thereof and separating the inlet and the outlet excepting through the passages formed by the housing, and a plurality of partitions of curvilinear configuration located in the housing for effecting a deposition of solid particles from the gases flowing through the housing to clean the gases prior to their discharge.

5. In a gas washer, in combination, a housing of substantially circular shape having top, bottom and inner and outer connecting side walls, an inlet and outlet in the inner wall thereof at divergent points, a dividing partition in the inner wall extending from a point -above the outlet to a point below the inlet separating the inlet and outlet excepting through the housing, a plurality of curvilinear passageways formed in the housing to the respective sides of the outlet thereof for effecting a deposition of solid particles from the gases owing through the housing, and means in the housing for washing the gases in advance of their ow through they curvilinear passageways.

6. A gas washer for association with a fiue stack, comprising a housing having the stack providing the inner Wall thereof and an outer wall substantially concentric With the inner wall, a plurality of openings in the inner wall at divergent points and communicating with the housing, means in the stack adjacent to the housing for intercepting the flue gases flowing in the stack and for diverting the gases through one of said openings, whereby said gases are caused to flow through the housing and to be discharged from said other opening before again entering the stack, and gas washing means in said housing for cleaning the gases flowing therethrough.

7. A gas washer for association with a flue stack comprising a housing having the stack providing the inner wall thereof and an outer wall substantially coaxial with the inner wall, a plurality of openings in the inner wall at divergent points and communicating with the housing, means in the stack adjacent to the housing for intercepting the flue gases flowing in thestack and for diverting the gases through one of said openings, whereby said gases are caused to flow through the housing and to be discharged from said other opening before again entering the stack, partitions providing curvilinear passageways in the housing for dividing the gases into a number of small streams and for causing a deposition of solid particles from said individual streams, and water sprays in the housing in advance of said passageways.

8. In a gas washer, in combination, a housing, a plurality of partitions located Within said housing, said housing and said partitions providing a plurality of radially spaced curvilinear passages for gas, said passages being lined with waterwetted rubber.

9. In a gas washer, in combination, means for deiiecting dust particles in a flow of gas out of a right line motion, said gas washer including Water-wetted rubber surfaces adapted to be impartitions in said housing, said housing and said f partitions providing a plur-ality of radially spaced curvilinear passages, the portion of said housing and said partitions defining said passages having rubber surfaces, and means for flushing said rubber surfaces.

1l. In a gas washer, in combination, a housing, a plurality of partitions located within said housing, said housing and said partitions providing a plurality of radially spaced curvilinear passages for gas, said passages being lined with rubber, and means for supplying water to the gas before entering said passages.

12. In a gas washer, in combination, an elongated housing, a plurality of partitions located within said housing, said housing and said partitions providing a plurality of radially spaced curvilinear passages for gas, said passages on the sides thereof which are presented toward the center line of said housing in position to be subjected to impingement by solid particles in the gas being washed being lined with water-wetted rubber.

13. In a gas washer, in combination, means providing a curvilinear passage for gas to be Washed, the side of said passage which is subjected to impingement by solid particles in said gas being lined with water-wetted rubber.

14. Gas cleaning apparatus comprising a housing including structure presenting obstructions to the right line flow of gas to be cleaned, the surfaces of said obstructions being of wetted rubber and being curved, said surfaces being substantially vertical.

15. In a gas Washer, in combination, means for deflecting the flow of gas out of a right line motion so that dust particles in said gas will irnpinge upon the surfaces of said means, said surfaces being composed of rubber, and means for flushing said surfaces with water.

16. Gas cleaning apparatus comprising a. housing including structure presenting obstructions to the right line flow of gas to be cleaned, the surfaces of said obstructions being of rubber and being curved, and means for flushing said surfaces with water.

17. In gas washing means, in combination, a stack for ue gases and a housing encircling said stack, said stack being provided with an inlet from the interior of said stack to said housing and with an outlet from said housing to said stack, a Wall disposed in angular relationship with said staclfor directing gases through said inlet around said housing to said outlet, said housing being provided with a plurality of curved members for intercepting the dust particles in the gas flowing therethrough, and means for flushing the dust receiving surfaces of said curved members, said dust receiving surfaces being composed of rubber.

18. Gas cleaning apparatus including, in combination. means for causing movement of dust or moisture particles in a gas stream to a side of said gas stream, said side of said gas stream being defined by a substantially vertical rubbercovered water-wetted surface.

19. Gas cleaning apparatus including, in combination, means providing a plurality of gas streams, means for causing the movement of dust or moisture particles in each of said streams to the sides of said streams, Said means providing said gas streams having vertical rubber-covered water-wetted surfaces defining said gas streams.

20. In a gas washer, in combination, means for deecting the flow of gas out of a right line motion so that dust particles in said gas will impinge upon the surfaces of said means,`said surfaces being composed of water-wetted rubber. 

